Antioxidants - The Soft Drink Obesity Crisis - Who Is To Blame?

American Journal Clinical Nutrition, 84: 274-288, 2006

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Scores of nutrition studies linked consumption of high-sugar drinks to obesity. Harvard researchers- in a literature review concluded that drinking sugar-rich beverages promotes weight gain and increases the risk of obesity. In one study, restricting the intake of high-sugar soft
drinks in children caused less weight gain and a lower incidence of obesity. Soft drinks add calories without suppressing hunger, so kids eat more during the day.

A 12-ounce soda contains 150 calories and high-fructose corn syrup equal to 10 teaspoons of sugar. Industry scientists counter that soft drinks can be part of a healthy diet if consumed in moderation. Other factors, such as lack of exercise, are more important in explaining the
obesity epidemic than a few cans of Coke or Pepsi. Our position is that both are right: high-sugar drinks contribute to childhood obesity, but they wouldn't be a problem if kids exercised more.